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For Immediate Release: 10/15/15
Audrey Zibelman, CEO
Contact: Jon Sorensen | Jon.Sorensen@dps.ny.gov | (518) 474-7080
15075/14-M-0565 October 15, 2015
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Four Additional Hearings Scheduled for Public Input on Energy Programs for Low-Income CustomersPublic Statement Hearings Added for Syracuse and Albany |
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ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) announced today that additional public statement hearings have been scheduled for Albany and Syracuse to gather public input on a proposal to improve and standardize utility programs for low-income customers.
In a series of hearings across the State, the Commission is examining whether payment programs offered by gas and electric utilities are properly meeting the needs of their most-vulnerable customers. The proceeding is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), a comprehensive strategy to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers.
Public information and comment sessions have taken place in Glens Falls, Poughkeepsie, Buffalo and New York City. Additional public statement hearings have now been scheduled for Syracuse and Albany:
Monday, Oct. 19: Southwest Community Center, 401 South Avenue, Syracuse. 2 - 3 p.m. Information Session
3 - 4 p.m. Public Statement Hearing
6 - 7 p.m. Information Session
7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing Begins
Wednesday, Oct. 21: New York State Museum, Clark Auditorium, 222 Madison Avenue, Albany. 2 - 3 p.m. Information Session 3 - 4 p.m. Public Statement Hearing 6 - 7 p.m. Information Session 7 p.m. Public Statement Hearing Begins The Commission recognizes the need to continuously and actively engage with low-income communities, customers, and stakeholder groups. Along with the public statement hearings, the Department Staff has conducted several meetings on the proposal. The proposal can be obtained from the Commission’s website, www.dps.ny.gov, by entering case number 14-M-0565 in the search field on the homepage.
It is not necessary to be present at the start of the hearing, to make an appointment in advance, or to present written material to speak at the hearing. Persons will be called to speak after completing a request card at the hearing. Each public statement hearing will continue until everyone wishing to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements have been made.
Other Ways to Comment
Internet or Mail: In addition to speaking at the formal hearings, members of the public desiring to comment may submit written comments by sending them electronically to the Commission’s Secretary at secretary@dps.ny.gov or by mail or delivery to Hon. Kathleen H. Burgess, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223-1350. Comments should refer to Case 14-M-0565.
Toll-free Opinion Line: Comments may also be submitted through the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is designed to take comments about pending cases from in-state callers, 24 hours a day. Callers should press “1” to leave comments for the cases referenced above. These comments are not transcribed but are summarized, with the summary reported to the Consumer Advocate and the Commission.
Written comments may be accessed on the Commission’s website by searching Case 14-M-0565 in the input box labeled "Search for Case Number" and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab. Many libraries offer free Internet access.
About Reforming the Energy Vision
Under Governor Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision (REV), New York State is spurring clean energy innovation and attracting new investment to build a cleaner, more resilient and affordable energy system for all New Yorkers. REV encompasses groundbreaking regulatory reform to integrate clean energy into the core of our power grid, redesigned programs and strategies to unlock private capital, and active leadership in deploying innovative energy solutions across the State’s own public facilities and operations. REV will enable a dynamic, clean-energy economy operating at a scale that will stimulate opportunities for communities across the state to create jobs and drive local economic growth, while protecting our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Successful initiatives already launched as part of REV include NY Sun, NY Green Bank, NY Prize, K-Solar, and a commitment to improve energy affordability for low-income communities. To learn more about REV, please visit www.ny.gov/REV4NY. |
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